The Los Angeles Dodgers have a little bit of a problem scoring runs. They're 26th among all MLB teams, and it's became notable news when they can accomplish something as trite as scoring twice in a single inning. ("A really strange thing," as the Los Angeles Times called it.) So it seems weird that a team so averse to contacting a baseball would shun its use during practice.

OK, sure, it's all in good fun and an unorthodox way to loosen up during practice, though we really hope the next time catcher A.J. Ellis looks up at a pop-fly in the sun during a game, he doesn't forget that an actual baseball is hurling down at his face. That would be painful.